258 COMPLETION OF THE CEREMONY. 



the time this was accomplished it had become quite dark, 

 so that I requested to be allowed to eat my own dinner, 

 not having the slightest wish to taste the many things 

 which the Dyaks had placed before me, and which they 

 doubtlessly considered the most delicate parts of the 

 entertainment. Having finished my meal, and lighted 

 my cigar, the dancing was commenced by the old men 

 of the tribe, who were tottering under all the fine 

 clothes the village could produce. This uninteresting 

 performance consisted in placing and sustaining their 

 bodies in the most contorted positions* and moving up 

 and down the verandah with the slow and shuffling 

 step, and shrill scream of the Sea Dyak dances, which, 

 excepting in the exhibition of heads, this performance 

 much resembled. The actors were occasionally cheered 

 by the spectators, on having performed dexterously 

 some more difficult and inelegant contortion than 

 ordinary ; but as I did not sufficiently appreciate its 

 beauties, I was unable to echo them. My Malays, 

 however, who were living at the expense of the Dyaks, 

 were liberal in their commendations. No drunkenness, 

 or other indecent behaviour, was exhibited at this 

 festival. 



On taking my departure on the following day, I 

 made presents to the principal people of the battik 

 handkerchiefs, beads, and other trinkets they so much 

 value. Had I permitted them, they would have laden 

 my boat with rice and fowls, which, when I descended 

 from the houses, I found waiting at the landing-place. 

 At the feast above described, women did not dance, 



